Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Effectively, there are three advisers employed by my Department. A fourth person acts as a co-ordinator between all Ministers of State as they do not have advisers.

Yes, is the answer to the Deputy's next question; a programme manager chairs a weekly meeting, the agenda of which usually relates to the Government's programme for that week and any other outstanding issues, perhaps, from the previous week. For issues that require more time, the key advisers, not usually the entire team but those involved in the issue, would meet a second time during the week. Meetings in regard to the Estimates and the budget take place at least weekly, but, normally, they take place twice a week and, at other times of the year, more frequently.

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